It’s important that a child living in foster care has opportunities to choose clothing or participate in activities of their choosing when often so much else is out of their control.
Several times a year, VOICES provides Target gift cards to CASAs to shop with their appointed youth for essential items chosen by the child. The shopping experience is part of the fun and CASA volunteers often mention the heartwarming care made in selecting items or trying on clothes. The experience (and the items) are as unique as the child.
At holiday time, VOICES supports a “virtual” toyland providing gift cards to the CASA volunteer to shop with and for the child during the holiday season. This style of toyland began during the COVID pandemic, but has endured with CASAs excitedly espousing the huge value of being able to provide what the child specifically wished for. As CASA volunteers said:
“What a great way to make sure the children get what they want and need! Thank you! So much fun to buy my kids exactly what they want! Thank you for helping to make my child’s holiday a bit brighter.”